diff --git a/example/lib/main.dart b/example/lib/main.dart
index dfdffb1..48d3343 100644
--- a/example/lib/main.dart
+++ b/example/lib/main.dart
@@ -60,12 +60,14 @@ class _MyHomePageState extends State<MyHomePage> {
             icon: Icon(Icons.apps),
             title: Text('Home'),
             activeColor: Colors.red,
+            expandedBackgroundColor: Colors.black,
             textAlign: TextAlign.center,
           ),
           BottomNavyBarItem(
             icon: Icon(Icons.people),
             title: Text('Users'),
             activeColor: Colors.purpleAccent,
+            expandedBackgroundColor: Colors.yellowAccent,
             textAlign: TextAlign.center,
           ),
           BottomNavyBarItem(
diff --git a/lib/bottom_navy_bar.dart b/lib/bottom_navy_bar.dart
index 97ab25b..882585b 100644
--- a/lib/bottom_navy_bar.dart
+++ b/lib/bottom_navy_bar.dart
@@ -137,8 +137,11 @@ class _ItemWidget extends StatelessWidget {
         duration: animationDuration,
         curve: curve,
         decoration: BoxDecoration(
-          color:
-              isSelected ? item.activeColor.withOpacity(0.2) : backgroundColor,
+          color: isSelected
+              ? item.expandedBackgroundColor != null
+                  ? item.expandedBackgroundColor
+                  : item.activeColor.withOpacity(0.2)
+              : backgroundColor,
           borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(itemCornerRadius),
         ),
         child: SingleChildScrollView(
@@ -195,6 +198,7 @@ class BottomNavyBarItem {
     this.activeColor = Colors.blue,
     this.textAlign,
     this.inactiveColor,
+    this.expandedBackgroundColor
   });
 
   /// Defines this item's icon which is placed in the right side of the [title].
@@ -210,6 +214,9 @@ class BottomNavyBarItem {
   /// The [icon] and [title] color defined when this item is not selected.
   final Color? inactiveColor;
 
+  /// The background color defined when this item is selected.
+  final Color? expandedBackgroundColor;
+
   /// The alignment for the [title].
   ///
   /// This will take effect only if [title] it a [Text] widget.